Walk Against Domestic Violence Steps off October 6th during Domestic Violence Awarenes Month

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. - Aug. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is hosting its 22^nd annual Walk Against Domestic Violence on Sunday, October 6^th by the windmill at Mark Richey Woodworking, 40 Parker Street. Registration for the 3.5 mile walk opens at 8 am and the walk begins at 9 am.  Registration costs $30 per person and all registrants will receive a t-shirt free-of-charge to wear during the walk.

“This fundraiser is important to the Center not only because it is our single largest fundraiser of the year but, it also has become an important community event raising awareness of domestic violence in our community and engaging our towns to help to put and end to domestic violence one step at a time,” says Suzanne Dubus, CEO of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.

The Walk Against Domestic Violence is the center’s single largest fundraiser of the year and will help to continue to provide a wide variety of services including a 24-hour emergency hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy, legal representation, children’s trauma services, art therapy, and emergency, transitional housing and youth prevention programs. All support services and programs are provided free-of-charge in order to allow anyone – regardless of financial circumstances – to escape abuse or threat of violence.

Walk participants are encouraged to register online at jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org (http://www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/) and track pledges on a personalized fundraising page.  All registrants who pay $30 will receive a free t-shirt to wear at the walk. Participants of all ages are welcome.  Team prizes will be awarded to those who are the highest earners. There will also be special prizes for individual walkers who raise more than $250.

Presenting sponsor of the Walk Against Domestic Violence is the Institution for Savings.  Sponsorship opportunities are still available online on the Center’s website and by contacting Kelly Majewski at 978-465-0999.

Domestic Violence Awareness

October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is a chance for everyone  – victims, survivors, advocates, law enforcement, supporters and political leaders – to unite in our work to end abuse. Throughout October, communities across the country will celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive, controlling and violent behavior toward a partner in an intimate relationship. The behavior can take many forms from verbal abuse to threats, isolation from family and friends, intimidation, financial control, sexual or physical violence, damaging property or threatening to harm the victim's family, pets or, even, themselves. This can happen on a regular basis, or only on occasion.

About the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center

For over 30 years, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center has been helping individuals and families at risk because of domestic violence. What began as the compassionate mission of several volunteer parishioners of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newburyport in 1982 has grown into a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic violence from Amesbury, Merrimac, Georgetown, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury, and Groveland.The mission of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is to empower community members to live free from fear, intimidation, violence or the threat of abuse by providing support, advocacy, and education. For more information, call 978-465-0999, visit www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org or call the 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 978-388-1888.